There is a constantly growing need for products and technologies that for their realisation

require hermetically closed elements, vessels and tubes. Envelopes with greater or
smaller vacuum tightness had to assure a satisfactory isolation between external
atmosphere and inside over- or underpressure. Crytical leak spots in closed systems are
usually connections, gaskets, welded and bra!ed "oints, defects in material etc.
#egarding to quality demands in different production processes, technical people very
often encounter with standards for tightness testing. $ishing to state if an element or
system meets with corresponding standards we have to be familiar with the procedures
enabling the following appointments
- question if there is leakage or not
- settlement of the leak si!e
- detection of leak locality
%or solving the mentioned problems different treatments and techniques are known but
among them there is no an universal method, Each testing is suitable only for a selected
leak rate or for fixed forms and technologies. &ur article presents the leak types, their
si!es and various leak detection techniques.
'eywords tightness, leakage, trace gas, helium mass spectrometer leak detector,
hermetic sealing
1. INTRODUCTION
The words (leak( and (leakage( appear in the field of vessels) hermetical closing and do
not confront only with vacuum technologists but also engineers working with high
pressures. * leak means an unintended crack, hole or porosity in an enveloping wall or
"oint which must contain or exclude different fluids and gases allowing the escape of
closed medium. The basic functions of leak detection are the locali!ation and si!e
measurement of leaks in sealed products and systems %or ma"ority of examples, a leak
test procedure is a quality control step to assure a device integrity, and is one-time
nondestructive test.
Tipical products in which the leak detection has to be used are vacuum chambers, T+- ,
and other cathode tubes, hermetically sealed electronic components, pressure vessels,
aerosol containers, vacuum thermal isolation ,e.g. dewars-, pumps, refrigerating systems,
chemical and nuclear plants, beverage cans, products containing metal bellows, electron
microscopes, peace makers, etc.
.n spte of modem technologies it is practically impossible to manufacture a sealed
enclosure or system that can be guaranteed to be leakproof without first being tested. The
main question is what is the maximum acceptable leak rate consistent with resonable
performance life of the product.
$e can distinguish different tipes of leak sources.
Leaks caused by defects in the containing envelope. %or example a too thin wall of a
plastic bottle becomes microscopic cracked at enough high pressure difference, or in
canning industry if the score mark is too deep in ring pull-tab can top, or porous cast in
machine housing metallurgy, etc.
Leaks in newly manufactured products are most commonly imperfect "oints or seals by
which various parts are assembled to form the final article. There are known demountable
and fixed "oints. /etween them the most often used are welds, bra!ed and soldered "oints
glass-to-metal and ceramic-to-metal seals, &-rings and other gaskets, etc.
Materials permitting gas diffusion and permeation through the wall.
Virtual leak, a special type of leak in vacuum technique, which is not really a leak but is
the internal source of gas or vapor. These are cavities in a chamber wall with thin
connections to the inner vessel space such as improper welds, closed threads and holes
etc.
2. LEAK SIZES AND MEASUREMENTS OF LEAK RATES
The shapes of leaks ,cracks, fissures, porosity, damages, etc ... - are very different,
unknown and non-uniform. Therefore it is impossible to measure their si!es with any
geometrical dimension except of course in the case of an ideal or artificial leak as used
for calibration. 0ow then to define the leak si!e1 * generally accepted method became
the observation of gas or fluid flow through it in certain conditions of temperature and
pressure difference. Consequently leak rates can be defined in two ways
o in terms of the application, e.g. 2 g of refrigerant #-34 in 4 years at 5 bar, or 65 m
of oil per year at 67 8C at atmosferic pressure, etc...
o in terms of vacuum leak detection method, e.g. 4 mbar pressure increase in . hour
or 2x 37-9 mbarl:s helium ,using 0e-detection method-
Each of the mentioned examples gives a legitimate description of leak rate but the
generally accepted unit is the last one because of very simple and understandable helium
leak detection. .ts efficiency is the result of a fierce and highly competitive developments
within the last 35-47 years.
The basic experiment explaining the leakage of hermetic system ,increasing pressure
method- is presented in %igure 3. The tested vessel or system with known volume ,+o- is
by a valve connected to pump. *fter evacuation the connecting valve should be closed
and then the pressure in volume registered for a suitable long time periode. There are
more possibilities system is tight and clean ,a-, fight and not clean ,b-, not tight and
clean, i.e. ideal leak ,c-, not tight and not clean, i.e. combination of leak and degassing.
*s we can see in each case ,except for a tight vessel- we have pressure increase and
regarding to the shape of diagram we can conclude the type of leak. ;sing the curve
inclination data the leak si!e can be determined by the following formula
Q = ^p * Vo/^ t (m!"#/$%
This simple test helps us to describe the situation at the begining of leak tracing
procedure. +ery similar test can be reali!ed by pressuri!ing the the system ,and detecting
the pressure decay- but gives only data on leak si!e and is not used so often.
The leak rate < does not only depend on the geometric dimensions ,diameter, lenght- of
the leak but also on the physical properties of the gas ,or the liquid-, such as viscosity,
relative molecular mass and on the pressure difference. %or example in the same
environment conditions helium flows through orifices 4.9 times faster than air. /ecause
of different results if the same leak is measured by various mediums it must be always
noted with which gas a testing was performed.
The maximum acceptable leak rate for a given product depends on the nature of product.
=ince the cost of leak detection ,and manufacturing too hermetic envelopes- increases in
inverse proportion to a leak rate, it follows that testing for unnecessary small leaks causes
unnecessary rise of production costs. =ome examples of tolerated leaks in different
elements and systems are shown in Table 3. $e can see very wide range of si!es from
great with some tenths mbarl:s in rough vacuum devices, to milion- and more- times
smaller in hermetically closed electronic elements. .t is possible to state there are no ideal
products without leakage. $e only can demand they have leaks smaller than the specified
leak.
Table 3. >eak rate specification for various elements and systems
E#&m&'t o" S($t&m M!). p&"m*$$*#& L&!+!,& R&m!"+
chemical process equipment 37
-3
to 3 mbar l:s great process flows
beverage can bottom 37
-5
to 37
-6
mbar l:s retention of C&4
dynamic pumped vacuum s. 37
-5
to 37
-9
mbar l:s permanent pumping
.C-package 37
-9
to 37
-?
mbar l:s
pacemaker cca 37
-@
mbar l:s long time implanted in body
closed vacuum elements 37
-?
to 37
-37
mbar l:s e.g. T+- and Aray- tubes
-. LEAK DETECTION MET.ODES
* few leak detection techniques are known. Their performances regarding to detecting
sesitivity are presented in %ig 4. /ecause of their advantages we shall concentrate
attention on the helium mass spectrometer tecniques but at first a short description of
others is presented,
T/& $p!"+ 0o*# t&0/'*12& uses a high voltage or Tesla cod and sparkling point to create
the electromagnetic radiation which causes the generation of glow discharge in
neighbouring evacuated ampoules. Bormally it is possible only in non metal envelopes,
that means first of all in glass and plastic elements or tubing. Crawing the leak antenna
along the tested element we can see plasma inside and coming to the leak, a sharp arc
passage between plasma and antenna appears. The defect spot is very clearly marked and
a skilled person can from the colour of plasma also estimate the inner pressure. This
simple metod however has a number drawbacksD since besides the restricted application it
is also to be avoided because of radiodisturbances.
3"&$$2"& 0/!',& m&t/o4 uses pressure gauges which are ordinary used to monitor the
system performance. =uspected leak sites can be squirted with a solvent ,i.e. acetone or
similar- while watching the gauge for a pressure rise that occurs when the solvent enters
the leak. This method has limited sensitivity ,depending also on the type of pressure
measurement cell- and some shortcomings ,possibility of solvent free!ing causes
temporary stuffing of leak, solvents may attack vacuum grease and elastomer gaskets-.
%igure 3. Testing of tightness by increasing pressure method and
various possible results
/ubble test
,soap
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
E
painting-
/ubble test
,air, water-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
--E
/ubble test
,0e,
alcohol
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
---E
0e sniffer
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
---E
0alogen
sniffer
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
-E
Fressure
decay
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
----E
*coustical
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
-E
+acuum
decay
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
----E
=park tester
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
E
Thermal
conductivit
y
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
E
#adioisotop
e
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
E
0alogen
detector
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
E
Gass
spectromete
r
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
---
---
E
Cye
penetrant
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
-
------
E
mbarl:s 377 37 3 37
-3
37
-4
37
-2
37
-H
37
-5
37
-6
37
-9
37
-?
37
-@
37
-37
37
-
33
37
-
34
%igure 4. =ensitivity ranges of various leak detection methods
O5&"p"&$$2"& m&t/o4$ can be performed by fluid or gas with which the tested element
must be filled. *s a fluid usually the water from house installation is used. &bserving the
outside surface the wetted areas show us great leaks and smaller ones up to approx. .
mbarl:s. Testing with gas, the vessel is sub"ected to overpressure of some bars ,depending
on material and wall thickness- and immerged into the water. *t leaks the gas bubbles
begin to escape. .n this manner the leaks up to 3. 37-2 mbarl:s can be detected. .f the
vessel is too great for immersion, the suspected points should be painted by soap solution
and again we can see the bubbles escaping if there is a leak. This method enables
detecting the leakage up to 37-5 mbarl:s and is usable also for very large systems.
.!#o,&' #&!+ 4&t&0to"$ are used in the detector-probe mode ,to 37-2 mbarl:s-, requiring
that the system be pressuri!ed with a gas containing an organic halide, such as one of the
%reons. The exterior of the system is then scanned with a sniffer probe sensitive to traces
of the halogen -bearing gas ,%ig. 2-. The principle is based on the increased positive ions
,' or Ba- emission because of sudden halide composition presence. The ion current is the
measure for a leak si!e. 0alogen detectors can be used also in turned mode evacuated
vessel is connected to detecting instrument and is sprayed by freon. .n this manner its
performance is up to 5.37-9 mbarl:s and is used in rough, medium and high vacuum.
%igure 2. 0alogen leak detector
D(& p&'&t"!'t m&t/o4 *$ !' !4!pt!t*o' of a technique used to find cracks in metals and
defects in welds. .t uses a low viscosity fluid that exhibits a high rate of surface
migration. This fluid is painted on one side of a suspected leak site, and after a time, it is
detected on the other side of the wall. The test is simple, low cost, it leaves records, the
sensitivity can be as high as 37-6 mbarl:s
A0o2$t*0!# #&!+ 4&t&0t*o' uses the sonic or ultrasonic energy generated by gas as it
expands through an orifice. Fressuri!ed gas proceeds from tested system through leaks
which are detected outside by sensible microphone ,tipically about H7 777 0!-.
*coustical leak detection is widely used in testing high pressure lines, ductworks etc. .t
requires modest instrumentationD it is simple and fast but is limited to about 37-2 mbarl:s.
R!4*o*$otop& m&t/o4 is useful only for testing hermetically sealed components. They
are placed in a chamber which is to be evacuated and filled with radioactive tracer gas
,tipically krypton ?5-. .t difuses through present leaks in the components and after
removing it from environs test gas expands through leaks back and can be detected by
radiation sensor. The instruments for this type leak tracing are very expensive but they
enables the measurement of flows up to 37- 33 mbarl:s.
M!$$ $p&0t"om&t&"$ !$ #&!+ 4&t&0to"$ are used as most sensitive instruments for stating
leak existance and presence in vacuum systems. They are ad"usted on the atom
respectively molecular weight of tracer gas. .t is usually helium because of.
- its small mass and atom volume assures good supply of gas through a leak -relative
great mass distance from neighbour mass enables greater sensitivity - its partial pressure
in air is low, approx. H.37-2 mbar
The first next suitable gas for leak detection purposes would be 04 but it is dangerous and
residual atmosphere in vacuum systems always contains this gas. There are also
spectrometers ad"ustable to other gases e.g. argon.
6. .ELIUM MASS S3ECTROMETER (MS7% LEAK DETECTION
0elium leak detection systems work as follows 0e is introduced to a test part that is
connected to the leak detector. The helium travels through leak into the leak detector, its
partial pressure is sen!ed respectively measured and results are displayed on istrument as
flow rate.
The main part of the device is mass spectrometer, a sensor for different gas masses. .n
very low pressure ,or vacuum- the molecules of rest gasses are transformed in ions by
electron impact. =eparating the ioni!ed particles of different mass to charge ratios ,q:m- it
is possible to state the partial pressures of present gases - in our case also the presence of
the sought gas helium. %or helium G=- leak detectors, magnetic sector type mass
spectrometers are preferably used as gas search sensors. The low pressure ,less than
4x37-H mbar- required for operation of the mass spectrometers is produced by an
integrated high vacuum pump system. The auxiliary vacuum pump required for rough
pumping the tested equipment is either incorporated or can be attached via suitable
connection.
*s the necessary pressure for the
mass spectrometer cannot always
be attained in the tested equipment
within a resonable pump-down
time, various types of G=-leak
detectors with different
performances have been
developed. The most used are
constructions with (full flow
operation( ,conventional- and
with (contra-flow operation(,
regarding to the way in which 0e
is supplied towards G=- sensor. %or example the figure H shows schematically the
conventional type G=leak detector. .n presented system, vacuum is maintained in the
spectrometer tube by use of a diffusion pump in combination with mechanical pump. *
cold trap pumps condensable vapors such as oil and water. * roughing pump is provided
to evacuate the test port ,and the connected sample to be tested- to a pressure level that
will not disrupt diffusion pump operation. R&!0/*', a suitable vacuum the sample is
valved off from the rough pump and by opening test valve "oint to the G=- vacuum
system. 0elium sprayed near the leak on the sample surface has now an open way to the
%igure H. Conventional type of the helium leak
detection apparatus
G=-tube and there it is detected. *fter
completing procedure the test port is valved
off from the leak detector and vented to airD
than we can change the sample.
0ow to use a helium G=- leak detector1 There
are basically four different techniques for
finding leaks two (&;T=.CE-.B( and two
(.B=.CE-&;T( methods ,%ig.5-.
.n the most commonly used (outside-in(
technique, the sample to be tested is connected
to leak detector and evacuated ,%ig.5a-. Than
its surface is (probed( with a pointed "et of
helium. Coming over a leak detector gives an
acoustic or visible sign ,exactly location- and
the data about leak si!e.
The second technique ,%ig.5b- consists of
evacuating and hooding the sample with something like a plastic sheet and flooding the
hood with helium. =o it is possible quickly to establish whether or not a sample leaks and
to establishe the total leak rate. This technique is most useful on production lines where a
test piece must be accepted or re"ected.
.n (inside-out( techniques the test configuration is reversed. .nstead of being evacuated,
the sample is pressuri!ed with 0e. .n this case the leak detector is equipped with so called
detector probe and it can be used in two modes presented in figures 5c and 5d. .n mode c-
the test piece is probed with the detector probe around suspected leak sites. This method
sensitivity ,up to 3. 37-6 mbarl:s- is not as good as by others because the helium in the air
is constantly being admitted into the detector.
Gode d- allows testing of a large number of samples simultaneously. .t is often called the
bombing technique because the parts are previously placed in a pressuri!ed 0e vessel
%igure 5. Gain leak detection techniques
with G=-leak detector and 0e tracing gas.
.n one mode ,examples a and b- 0e flows
from outside into vacuum and in other it
expands from inner overpressure in
atmosphere
where the helium leaks into the parts which leak. *ll parts are than exposed to detector
probe in closed container. The mentioned leak test techniques are the main methods for
establishing whether leaks exist and for locating where they are. Each has its own
advantages and shortcomings, each has also its own individual set of variations.
L&!+ D&t&0t*o' 8o" 3*p*',
I'o"m!t*o'
There are pressuri!ed, suction, and gravity piping delivery systems that could be used
with ;=Ts. Fiping could be either single or double walled.There are line leak detection
requirements for underground pressuri!ed and suction piping. The leak detection
requirements are different depending on the type of piping delivery system. %or the
purposes of leak detection requirements, do not consider fill pipes.
Cepending on the type of piping in use at your facility, sumps may house
some of the leak detection equipment.
.f you have underground piping that contains a ha!ardous substance listed on
the CE#C>* list of ha!ardous substances, you must meet one of the following
for each of these piping runs
3. Iou must have secondarily contained piping with interstitial monitoring. This
is necessary for both pressuri!ed and suction piping,
&#
4. Iou must have a waiver from CEC.
To determine requirements and /GFs for leak detection of your piping, do the following
3. .dentify the type,s- of piping you have at your facility.
D*88&"&'t p*p*', "2'$ !t (o2" 8!0*#*t( m!( 2$& 4*88&"&'t t(p&$ o8 82&# 4&#*5&"(
$($t&m$. M!+& $2"& to $&#&0t t/& !pp"op"*!t& t(p& o8 82&# 4&#*5&"( $($t&m 8o"
&!0/ p*p*', "2' !t (o2" 8!0*#*t(.
Not&9 I8 !## p*p*', !$$o0*!t&4 :*t/ !' UST $($t&m *$ !o5&,"o2'4; t/&' t/!t
p*p*', /!$ 'o "&12*"&m&'t$ 8o" #&!+ 4&t&0t*o'.
4. %or each type of piping you check in the table below, go to the appropriate section
and read and fill out the appropriate sections of the checklist,s- for piping release
detection.
I8 (o2 4o 'ot +'o: t/& t(p&($% o8 p*p*', (o2 /!5&; t!+& t/& 8o##o:*', $t&p$ to 8*,2"& o2t
:/!t *$ !t (o2" 8!0*#*t(9
J #ead the descriptions below of the different types of fuel delivery systems for piping.
J >ook through your old records and permit to see if they match any of the names in the
descriptions.
J Contact the contractor who installed your piping system.
J Contact your service contractor:environmental consultant for assistance.
Fressuri!ed fuel delivery pushes fuel from the tank to the dispenser through piping by using a
submersible turbine pump ,=TF- located inside the tank. ;sually there is an =TF head in a
sump above the tank. These sumps are often covered with a lid.
=uction fuel delivery pulls fuel from the tank to the dispenser
through the piping by using a suction pump located at the
dispenser. Iou should be able to tell if you have suction
piping by looking for a suction pump ,you may see pulleys
and belts- inside the dispenser. *lso, there will not be a
pump in a sump above the tank.
Kravity feed fuel delivery has no pump and relies on the
downward slope of the piping to transport fuel to or from the tank. Kenerally, gravity piping
connects a sink or drain inside a building to a tank outside the building. The product ,most
commonly used oil- is dumped into the sink or drain and flows into the tank by gravity.

3"&$$2"*<&4 3*p*',
Fressuri!ed piping can be either single or double walled. There are some
general requirements that apply to all types of pressuri!ed piping, as well
as additional requirements that depend on whether your piping is single or
double walled.
R&12*"&m&'t$ 8o" A## 3"&$$2"*<&4 3*p*',
*utomatic line leak detectors ,>>Cs- are devices installed in the piping
run and are designed to detect a catastrophic release from pressuri!ed
piping. They are located on the =TF head in the sump above your tank.
>>Cs are required because if they detect a ma"or breach in the piping,
they will restrict flow to only 2 gallons per hour, which will prevent a ma"or
release. /ut because they will not detect small piping leaks, anadditional method of release
detection is also required.
Each pressuri!ed piping run must have an automatic >>C installed. Iou must
meet specific requirements for your >>Cs.
There are two types of >>Cs
J Gechanical >>Cs are mechanically
operated pressure valves that test for
piping leaks each time the pump is turned
on.
J Electronic >>Cs have an electronic
detection element that connects to an
electronic control panel ,such as an *TK
system- and continuously monitors for
piping releases.
=ample =TF 0ead with >>C
Bote that an electronic >>C also may be capable of conducting a line tightness test. Check with
the ;=T service technician to see if this option applies to you.
$hen a leak is detected, automatic >>Cs must restrict fuel flow to a rate no
greater than three gallons per hour.
Iou must test each >>C at least once every year. The test must be performed
according to the manufacturerLs requirements and procedures by trained,
qualified personnel.
J Iou must keep records of these annual tests for 2 years.
J .f an >>C fails a functionality test, have a trained person repair or
replace the >>C and re-test the >>C.
Iou must maintain all records of maintenance or repair to your >>C for a period
of 2 years.
The end of all pressuri!ed piping ,where the pipe enters the bottom of the
dispenser- must be equipped with an emergency shut-off valve ,i.e., a shear
valve, also called a crash valve- designed to close automatically in the event of
impact or fire exposure. The shear valve must be mounted directly beneath the
dispenser and the bottom portion of the shear valve ,below the shear line- must
be solidly mounted to the dispensing island.
%requently test your automatic >>Cs according to the manufacturerLs instructions
to make sure they are working properly.
Gake sure that your >>C is designed to operate with the type of fuel your ;=T
system stores. %or example, some >>Cs are designed to work with gasoline,
while others are intended to work with diesel.
Test the shear valve annually.
R&12*"&m&'t$ 8o" S*',#&7=!##&4 3"&$$2"*<&4 3*p*',
* line tightness test must be used to meet leak detection requirements for your
pressuri!ed single-walled piping. >ine tightness testing may be performed by either
a trained tester or by using a permanently installed electronic system. >ine tightness
testing must be able to detect a release of 7.3 gallons per hour at a line pressure of
one and a half times the operating pressure of the system. %or example, if the pipe
typically operates at 27 F=., the line test must be capable of detecting a leak of 7.3
gallon per hour at H5 F=..
%or pressuri!ed piping, a line tightness test is required every year. Iou must keep
results of tightness testing for 2 years.
.f you use a permanently installed electronic system, it must be inspected, calibrated,
and tested on a yearly basis. Iou must keep records of these annual tests.
>ine tightness tests must be conducted by a trained tester.
J Gake sure that the method of tightness testing is approved by the CEC.
J 'eep the results of all tightness tests for 2 years.
.f you use a permanently installed electronic system, periodically have a trained
contractor, such as the vendor who installed the system, service that system
according to the manufacturerLs instructions.
R&12*"&m&'t$ 8o" Do2#&7=!##&4 3"&$$2"*<&4 3*p*',
Each double-walled pressuri!ed piping run must have *'t&"$t*t*!# mo'*to"*',.
Iou must be monitoring the interstitial space continuously with an electronic
monitor, or manually once per week, for releases. $hether electronic continuous
monitoring is present or manual monitoring is performed, weekly documentation of
this monitoring must be kept for at least a year.
The requirements for interstitial monitoring of double-walled tanks also apply to
piping.I' !44*t*o'; extra requirements apply to sensors and sumps*ll sumps must be physically
checked once each week, or be equipped with sensors for continuous monitoring. =ensors are
typically located in the piping collection sump areas for interstitial monitoring. These sumps
must be liquid-tight and free of leaks ,e.g., no holes, cracks, or spaces between the sump wall
and any piping or conduit entering the pipe- for piping interstitial monitoring to operate
correctly. They also must be free of water, debris, and product.
=ensors must be positioned at the lowest point on the perimeter of the bottom of
the sump. They must be upright and functioning properly.
The secondary piping test boot must be disconnected.
*ll other entries ,boots- must be sealed to prevent infiltration of water and release
of product.
Fiping must slope to the sump containing the monitoring probe.
S20t*o' 3*p*',
=uction piping can be either single- or double-walled. =ystems with
suction piping may be exempt from some leak detection requirements
.f suction piping is not exempt, leak detection requirements depend on
whether the piping is single- or double-walled
E)&mpt S20t*o' 3*p*',
=uction piping that has only one check valve, located immediately beneath
the dispenser, and is sloped uphill from the tank to the dispenser at a
gradient of at least 3:?-inch per foot is exempt from leak detection
requirements. Gost suction piping qualifies as exempt suction piping, but
in some instances topographic features prevent the installation of suction
piping with the proper gradient.
+ertical check valves must be installed only at the dispenser end of each exempt
suction piping run, immediately below the dispenser. The presence of the check
valve must be verifiable
S*',#&7=!##&4 S20t*o' 3*p*',
.f your system meets the design criteria for an exempt suction system you do not need to
conduct a line tightness test. %ew systems that do not meet the exemption criteria are still
in service. Contact the CEC ;=T Frogram to determine whether your system meets the
design criteria. .f it does not, you must conduct a piping tightness test at least once every
2 years.
.f it is required, line tightness testing must be performed by a trained tester. >ine
tightness testing must be able to detect a release of 7.3 gallons per hour, at a line
pressure of one and a half times the operating pressure of the system. The term
Moperating pressureN for a suction system may seem confusing, but the ;.=. EF*
has stated that for suction systems, Moperating pressureN means the amount of
vacuum the suction pump applies. =o, if a suction system typically operates at a
negative pressure ,suction- of H F=., the line test must be capable of detecting a
leak rate of 7.3 gallons per hour at a positive pressure of 6 F=..
.f you have the tightness tests performed by a trained tester, you must
J Gake sure that the tester is qualified and that the method of tightness testing
is approved by the CEC.
J 'eep the results of all tightness tests for 2 years.
Do2#&7=!##&4 S20t*o' 3*p*',
.f your double-walled suction piping system meets the criteria for exemption you are not
required to monitor the interstitial space of your piping system. .f your system does not
meet the criteria for exemption, each double-walled suction piping run must have
*'t&"$t*t*!# mo'*to"*',. Iou must monitor the interstitial space manually once per week,
or continuously with an electronic monitor, for releases. $hether electronic continuous
monitoring is present or manual monitoring is performed, weekly documentation of this
monitoring must be kept for at least a year.
The requirements for interstitial monitoring of double-walled tanks also apply to
piping. I' !44*t*o'; extra requirements may apply to sensors and sumps. *ll sumps must be
either checked manually at least once each week, or be equipped with sensors for continuous
monitoring. =ensors are typically located in the piping collection sump areas for interstitial
monitoring. These sumps must be liquid tight and free of leaks ,e.g., no holes, cracks, or spaces
between the sump wall and any piping or conduit entering the pipe- for interstitial monitoring of
piping to operate correctly. They also must be free of water, debris, and product.
=ensors must be positioned at the lowest point on the perimeter of the bottom of
the sump. They must be upright and functioning properly.
The secondary piping test boot must be disconnected.
*ll other entries ,boots- must be sealed to prevent infiltration of water and release
of product.
Fiping must slope to the sump containing the monitoring probe
>"!5*t( 3*p*',
Kravity piping must be secondarily contained ,e.g. double-walled piping-. Iou must
monitor the interstitial space electronically or manually at least once per week.
A#t&"'!t& M&t/o4$
.f you use an alternate method not described in this chapter to monitor your piping
for leaks, it m2$t be approved by CEC. .t must be capable of detecting leaks
consistently. There are very few alternate systems in operation in +ermont.
Contact the CECLs ;=T Frogram for specific guidance
S2mp$
* sump is a contained subsurface area designed to provide access to
equipment located below ground and to prevent liquids from releasing into
the environment. =umps are required for all facilities installed after
=eptember 3, 3@?9, except for intrinsically safe suction systems. .f you do
not have sumps installed, contact the CEC.
Contained sumps have sides and a bottom, are designed to be liquid tight,
and usually have a special cover designed to keep out water.
T(p&$ o8 S2mp$ A$$o0*!t&4 :*t/ UST S($t&m$
The types of sumps likely to be associated with your ;=T system are
T2"*'& S2mp$ O Turbine sumps are designed to provide access to the turbine area
above the
tank. The turbine area houses the =TF head, piping, >>Cs, interstitial monitoring devices,
wiring, and other equipment. Iou will find turbine sumps directly above your ;=Ts. Turbine
sump lids generally range from 2 to H feet in diameter and can be round, oval, square, or
rectangular in shape.
D*$p&'$&" S2mp$ O Cispenser sumps are designed to provide containment for, and
access to,
piping, flex connectors, shear valves, and other equipment located beneath the dispenser.
Cispenser sumps are found directly under your dispensers.
T"!'$*t*o'/I't&"m&4*!t& S2mp$ O Transition:intermediate sumps are less common than
other
sumps, but can be found along the piping runs that connect the tanks to the dispensers, and are
designed to provide access to the piping. Transition sumps are used to transition from
aboveground
piping to below-ground piping or, in some cases, to transition between different types of
piping. .ntermediate sumps are located at key points in the piping system ,e.g., low spots,
branches, tees-. Transition:intermediate sump lids generally range from 2 to H feet in diameter
and can be round, oval, square, or rectangular in shape.
S2mp M!*'t&'!'0&
Gaintaining your sumps and spill buckets will involve gaining access to them, inspecting them
on a regular basis, assessing whether any problems exist, and ensuring any problems are
addressed. %or serious problems ,e.g., obvious leaks occurring on the piping and equipment,
cracked spill buckets or sidewalls, cracked or missing seal around the lid-, itLs best to contact
your ;=T contractor or the manufacturer of your ;=T equipment to have the problem fixed.
.f you conduct manual monitoring, you must record results in a monitoring log.
.f your facility does not have sensors installed on its sumps, you must conduct
manual monitoring every week. .nspect all dispenser lines, fittings, and couplings,
and inspect the sump beneath the dispenser for any signs of leakage.
$hen you inspect your sumps, you should answer the following questions about
their
condition
I$ t/& $&0o'4!"( 0o't!*'m&'t $2mp 8"&& o8 :!t&"; 4&"*$; !'4 p"o420t?
Cebris, liquid, and product can damage equipment, reduce capacity ,if
contained-, and interfere with your equipmentLs ability to operate correctly.
%or example, water in your sump will reduce capacity and may cause metal
equipment in your sump to corrode. %uel in your sump will also reduce
capacity and may damage some plastic sumps and other components not
designed for long term contact with petroleum. =imilarly, used dispenser
filters may contain small amounts of petroleum, so they should not be left
inside your sump. Iou should carefully remove and properly dispose of any
debris, liquid, or ice in your sumps.
J Do t/& $2mp$ !pp&!" to & 8"&& 8"om #&!+$ (&.,.; 'o o5*o2$ /o#&$;
0"!0+$; $p!0&$ &t:&&' t/& $2mp :!## !'4 !'( p*p*', o" 0o'42*t
&'t&"*', t/& p*p&%? Examine your contained sumps for signs of damage
,e.g., cracks or holes-. Check to ensure no cracks are present around the
areas where components, such as wiring conduit and piping, enter your
sumps. Cracks and holes mean your sump will no longer contain product or
prevent releases to the environment.
A"& !## &'t"*&$ (oot$% $&!#&4 to p"&5&'t *'8*#t"!t*o' o8 :!t&" !'4 "&#&!$&
o8 p"o420t? * test boot is found on secondarily-contained piping and is a
flexible sleeve usually made of rubber with a valve located either at the entry
to the sump or on the piping in the sump. .t is used to test the space between
the inner and outer piping walls for tightness. Check to ensure the test boots
are in good condition, not cracked or torn, and positioned correctly in the
sump.
J I$ t/& $&0o'4!"( p*p*', t&$t oot 4*$0o''&0t&4? %or turbine sumps and
transition and intermediate sumps, check to ensure the test boots are pulled
back from the secondary piping so any fuel in the secondary piping can flow
to the sump. Iou should be able to see a gap between the primary and
secondary piping which allows any fuel present in the secondary piping to
flow into the sump. %or dispenser sumps, depending on the configuration of
your system, the test boot may or may not need to be pulled away. Test boots
would typically be pulled away in sumps that are located in low spots to allow
leaks inside the piping to flow into the sumps. 0owever, check with your
contractor for the appropriate configurations.